TVA has identified preferred locations for transmission upgrades that would provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in the Fort Payne area.
TVA evaluated each route using social, engineering, and environmental factors. Information sources included available data, aerial photography, limited onsite reviews, public review and comment, and property owner input. Based on public input and evaluation, the preferred route is expected to have the least overall project impacts of the alternatives.
TVA’s 2.4-mile power line would begin at their Fort Payne-Collinsville 161-kilovolt Transmission Line near Structure 28 and extend east to the new Davis Gap Station near the intersection of Gault Avenue and 29th Street.
The route selected is No. 1 which consists of tap point No. 2 and segment Nos. 1 and 3 as presented at the open house in July 2019.
The new line would consist of steel poles centered on a new 100-foot-wide right of way.
VA is considering improvements to its transmission system that would provide power for growing load and increase power reliability in the Fort Payne area.
TVA is proposing to build about 2.5 miles of single-circuit transmission line to power a new Fort Payne Improvement Authority substation on the south end of Fort Payne. The line would begin at TVA’s existing Fort Payne-Collinsville 161-kV Transmission Line and extend east to the new Davis Gap Substation to be located on the northeast corner of the intersection of Lebanon Road and U.S. Highway 11.
Two tap points and two alternate line routes are under consideration. The line would be built on steel pole, single-circuit structures.
The project is expected to be in service in winter 2021-2022. Construction is scheduled to begin in summer-fall 2021. (Dates are subject to change. During projects of this magnitude, unexpected issues may arise, resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.)
The map shows the area of the proposed transmission improvements. The map is also available below as a PDF file.
If you have questions or need help understanding the map, please contact TVA (see below).
Possible routes of proposed transmission line (PDF)
(Dates are subject to change. During projects of this magnitude, unexpected issues may arise, resulting in the need to adjust the schedule.)
Open house | July 18, 2019 |
Comments accepted | August 19, 2019 |
Determine preferred route for field surveys | Fall 2019 |
Surveys of the right of way are scheduled to begin | Winter 2019-2020 |
Easement purchases are scheduled to begin | Winter 2020-2021 |
Construction is scheduled to begin | Summer-fall 2021 |
Project in service | Winter 2021-2022 |
The appropriate National Environmental Policy Act review will be conducted to ensure that the environmental impacts are minimized. TVA attempts to minimize any land requirements, private property impacts, and environmental impacts associated with this project.
Efforts are made during the siting process to avoid or minimize impacts to floodplains and wetlands in accordance with Executive Orders 11988 and 11990. Floodplains and wetlands are shown on the referenced map. The map illustrates how the route avoids or impacts floodplains and wetlands. Because of project and topographic constraints and because of minimizing impacts to other social, environmental, and engineering resources, no practicable alternative may be available that would allow complete avoidance of impacts to floodplains and wetlands which may require mitigation for minimizing impacts. Also, best management practices would be utilized throughout the project to minimize adverse floodplain and wetland impacts. In compliance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, TVA will be coordinating wetland findings with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
More information on this project can be obtained from:
Chris Austin
newtransline@tva.gov
800-362-4355
1101 Market Street, MR 4G
Chattanooga,
TN
37402